Quick trade deadline-day analysis

Wojtek Wolski's trade to Phoenix is a gamble for the Avs. (Getty photo)

ANAHEIM – Well, on paper, it doesn’t look like a good deal at all, does it? The Avs today acquired a forward, Peter Mueller, who has four goals and 17 points in 54 games this year. To get him, they gave up a guy, Wojtek Wolski, who has 17 goals and 47 points in 62 games.

But this was one of those trades where both teams were tired of the guy they had, and wanted to roll the dice that their careers would blossom more with a change of scenery.

The Avs get a guy who was drafted eighth overall just four years ago, who scored 22 goals as a rookie, who got a lot of consideration for rookie of the year that year. So what has happened since? Why are his numbers so awful this year, and why weren’t they very good last year either? Talking to a couple of insiders from Phoenix today, they say a lot of the same things that were said about Wolski by people within the Avs: that he gets lazy sometimes, that he doesn’t sacrifice his body enough, doesn’t “pay the price” around the net.

They said his strong rookie season might have gone to his head, that he didn’t push his game to the next level, that he got too self-satisfied with his situation. The Coyotes finally had enough of wanting the old Mueller back and so they dealt him.

The Avs are gambling that the trade will rock Mueller’s world enough that he gets that desire back. If they can make that happen, they will have a player who was supposed to be one of the NHL’s real up-and-coming stars of the future not that long ago.

The Coyotes are banking on the same thing with Wolski, only they have a stronger case on paper that they’ll get more from the deal, at least in the short term. Wolski’s statistics are still good, no matter how you slice it.

But Avs fans know there are real risks for the Coyotes too. He does float in games too much, doesn’t get his nose dirty enough and isn’t there in the clutch so much (shootouts excepted).

Something went very wrong after Monday’s game, in the relations between the Avs and Wolski. There are plenty of indications that the coaching staff and management were furious at the effort he put forth, and decided then and there to put him on the trade block. Wolski left the Pepsi Center that night with an angry look on his face. Stuff happens all the time, but something obviously went bad that night.

I’ll be talking to Greg Sherman soon and will have what he says, but my hunch is that game really changed things with Wolski’s situation here.
Also keep this in mind: Wolski not only was making $2.8 million this year and his contract was up, but he was eligible for arbitration this summer. Could he have expected $4 million on his next deal? With the numbers he’s had, certainly.

Money had something to do with this deal too.

*I just got off the phone with Sherman, and here’s his general summation of the deal (with more detail in tomorrow’s Post): “There were a lot of variables to consider, and in the end I made a decision that I felt was the best situation for the organization going forward. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Wojtek. He’s a good person. But this was a situation where we made a decision we felt makes us better.”
On Mueller, Sherman said: “With the number of young players we have, I think Peter fits well into that profile of what we’re trying to do. We think our environment could help him reach his potential – and not so much his potential, because he’s proven himself before. He scored 20 (22 actually) goals in our league before. There was a coaching change in Phoenix this year. He’s still a real young guy, and we thought he was a good fit for us.”

That, to me, is a bit of the shame of the thing. Dumping salary is one thing, but dumping salary on a guy still only 24 years old with 47 points in 62 games? And, for a guy with horrible numbers this year? Risky, risky.

Anyway, the dealing is done. Marek Svatos, Ruslan Salei and John Liles remain on the team. I believe, based on various conversations, that Svatos wanted and expected a trade. But the Avs arguably still need him, especially with the injury to Brandon Yip.

Liles’ contract is just an immovable force, but the concussion injury to Kyle Cumiskey (who skated this morning and said he’s feeling better) might have changed his situation a little too.

I like the deal – Wolski was a pouter and I remember him playing the body once last year against Edmonton after Granumnuts had benched him for a game and called him out in the media – that game against Edmonton was one of Wolski's finest games – he never played like that since, so I'm not sad to see him go at all – things would have gotten nasty this summer between him and the or-gin-i-zation anyway, so regardless, he was gone…Mueller will be alright.

mrhockeyluke

Emergence of David Jones, Brandon Yip and Chris Stewart has made Wolski expendable….too bad so sad. I liked the guy, he was fun to watch sometimes….but….he just hasn't ever reached his potential….he has had the privelage of playing with great playmakers like Sakic, Brunnete and Stastny his whole career and has floundered.

perryevans

I couldn't agree more, having screamed at Wolski via the TV all game against Detroit. He's coasted one too many times, and constantly “almost gets to the puck” 9 times out of 10. He didn't step up to the new culture, and I salute management for putting their decisions behind their game plan – aggressive 110% behavior or you're not welcome here! As much as I know he's a wizard on shout-outs, the time he plays with a team between him and a goalie is a cosntant disappointment. Way to go, Sacco! You've reduced my blood pressure!!

Brian

It was time for Wolly to go. Plain and simple. Dater keeps harping on numbers, numbers, numbers. Wolly was soft and you couldn't count on him in the clutch. He disappeared for what seemed like months. Once the league figured out his shootout moves, he even became a head case then!Let's give Mueller a chance and see what he can do. If it doesn't work out, we can rip Sherman later. Besides, I don't think the prospects for Wolly turning things around in Denver were too good. Clearly he was in Sacco's doghouse and not his guy.

hupperware

Wolski was invisible most of his career in an Avs sweater.You want to be here then pick it up JML!

SoCalAvsFan

Hey Dater, are you going to be at the ducks game tonight? If so, what section are you sitting? Id love to come say Hi!

db

yeah we're all gonna look really stupid if Sacco works whatever magic he worked with stewart on Mueller but right now it looks like a crap deal for us. An why did we get Yelle back…I mean was that a necessary move. I can't imagine that a 35 year old has been “fits well” with our organization (at least not with our forwards).

jkaus

This is a great day…I've longed for this guy to be traded. As a matter of fact I think the Avs shouldn't have waited so long. Watching TSN's deadline coverage they all seem puzzled as to why the Avs made this trade..obviously they don't watch this team much. You can't build a core around a guy like Wolski he's both physically and mentally soft as a hockey player. Sacco realized this and called Wolski out, where as Quennville & Granato just kept toting him out on one of the top two lines, no matter how putrid his effort.Sacco is the first coach the Avs have had since moving to denver who seems to have a philosophy or plan in mind. Harley and Crawford were happy to ride the Forsberg/Sakic/Roy meal ticket train (and righfully so). Wheras Granato just seemed lost during both stints. Sacco wants to cultivate a culture of hard working selfless players. Wolski wasn't the former and probably not the latter either. Build around Duchene, O'Reilly, Stewart, & Stastny. Good riddance Wolski!

whiteice

I have a question for Dater and all the people ripping on the Avs management for what they got in the trade.What makes you think they could have gotten more? Wolski's reputation is known around the league. There are multiple former Avalanche coaches and front office staff floating around the league, including two former head coaches. I could be wrong, but I don't think any of them are in Phoenix. For what the Avs did get, I think we can assume no teams were offering even a third round pick, certainly not a 2nd. So, why didn't Granato talk the Pens into making the trade, for example? My guess is he didn't want him. And having former coaches not want you, I don't think that looks good on a player. (Even if I really didn't like the coach.)If you don't like that they traded Wolski at all, can't help ya there. But before you start saying we should have gotten so-and-so, what makes you think that player was available to the Avs?Sorry for trying to be sensible.

Mojo

I used to live in Tempe, Mueller sucks. He had a decent rookie season, when he was playing center… are the Avs going to make him a center? Cause otherwise he's a waste of space.

Mojo

Thing is, we didn't have to get rid of Wolski… we traded him for the same guy only Mueller has less talent and even less drive than Wolski. If this was the best we could have got for World Wide Wolski we would have been better off keeping him. Our left wing is empty now, specially with Hejduk injured.

jfmartineau

Lady and gentlement i think you are missing the point of getting Yelle back. In the playoff he can be a spiritual father to our young core.He won 2 stanley cup here in denver,Reliable on defense, good on face off, and he can score clutch goal like the one needed monday night to break the tie.

whiteice

Didn't have to? No, the point is, they WANTED to. And, if they weren't going to resign him in the offseason, why not get something for him. As Dater says above, something happened after Monday's game, so that also probably goes towards trading him. If he's not scoring, and causing headaches for the coaching staff, and they weren't going to resign him . . . it's bye bye Wolski. Oh yeah, not to be rude, but I'm not sure I'm prepared to take your view of Mueller, since you don't even know that Hejduk is a right wing. But, thanks for playing.

mrhockeyluke

I believe Mueller has been playing wing….pretty much any forward can be interchanged between either wing….Hejduk has played L and R wing this year….Galiardi plays all 3 forward positions…Wolski was likely to garner around $4 million a year if he took the Avs to arbitration this off season….that would be too much for his lack of grit and streaky play…Mueller has as much potential as Wolski….except he is younger and cheaper….I believe this is a good trade.

Nick B.

Dater, does this mean the Avs are going to recall Hensick so he and Porter can rekindle all that magic from their Michigan years?

whiteice

I hear ya, JF, but I'm still wondering, where does he play? O'Rielly's been quiet lately, zero points and -3 in the last 5 games, but I'm not sure moving him around is a good idea. Hendricks has done pretty well centering the 4th line, which is usually a physical crash and bang line, so I'm not sure Yelle fits there either. Love the guy, understand what he brings to the table, and I'm hoping he takes Wolski's place with Stastny on the penalty kill, but where does he fit on the four lines?

jimbo

Dater doesn't even MENTION the fact that the Avs got TWO players in this deal, not just one. How can he claim to analyze a trade when he doesn't even look at the whole thing?If this had been Wolski for Mueller straight up, maybe we can just overlook the salary aspects and simply look at each guys' stats and say “it doesn't look so good on paper.” But the Avs got two players in this deal, not one: Porter was no throw-in… he's 23 and is rated as one of the Yotes top-10 prospects. And the two players Colorado gets cost them less than Wolski. It's too bad Dater only tells half the story with his “analysis,” but I've read plenty of better-informed opinions today that say the Avs did just fine with this trade.

Peterman

hmmm, I think the Avs traded him at the right time. He's had almost 5 years to become a true professional and it hasn't happened. After 5 years it isn't going to happen here. And it probably won't in Phoenix either. Wolski just seems to always do just enough. We were right to wait this long, and right to move on now.I love this trade. Not only do we get players to help us now and they do have a level of potential. But… we also get that salary cap flexibility. Phoenix is actually taking a bigger risk. They are responsible for paying $4M+ for the next four years. If they let another team sign him away, all they get is draft picks. Mueller is younger and cheaper. Porter may work out, maybe not. But next year we can focus on retaining and paying the players we WANT, rather than the ones we're stuck with per the CBA.Look at PHX – they were the biggest players this year and they obviously want a playoff run. They are taking risks. We are cleaning house. Good for us.

Peterman

Good trade. Good for Lacroix, oops, Sherman to move on. If you think about the Yelle acquisition, we're bringing in a guy that will work his butt off and buy into Sacco's style. Wolski was the complete opposite. Yelle will help get our rookies prepared to play every night and into the playoffs.Not only do we gain an extra two forwards, we gain salary cap flexibility, and also improve our locker-room today for the playoff push. Nice job.

Peterman

Well… the more you watch, read, and listen to local media vs national media you learn the national guys just don't know that much. They just repeat what others tell them, or what they have time to know about (which isn't much considering they are supposed to be 'experts' on each team, LOL). Or they remember lessons learned from their playing days and apply them in a generalized way to each team/player.That's why Dater is GOLD! At least for the Avs, we get all the insider info Dreger or Burnside pretend to know. Spector does a decent job, because he basically summarizes each beat writer's stories and blogs. He is a frequents Dater follower.

Amy

I'd rather have Wolski than Svatos . . . how many left wings to we have now? two?I'd rather have Wolski than Mueller . . . how does trading one guy who is sometimes lazy but at least puts up good numbers for a guy who is sometimes lazy and doesn't even have good numbers help us get where we would like to go as a team? Was someone out there REALLY missing Arnason?!?I have the feeling we just traded a good young talent for a guy that may very well end up on our AHL team in another year.Granted, I thought the Leopold for Wilson trade was a little silly at the time, but Wilson has really proved himself . . . I'll give Mueller the benefit of the doubt, and I won't blame him if he's another epic fail . . . I'll blame Sherman – since this whole thing was his brain child in the first place.

Nick

Stan Kroenke pretty much ordered Sherman to get rid of payroll. That's all.Fans weren't showing up at the Can to watch before the trade deadline. What about these trades makes anyone think the crowds will be larger? Who on earth wants to watch this team? It's garbage.

mrhockeyluke

Galiardia can play all 3 forward positions, Hejduk can play LW or RW….don't get so hung up on the whole position thing….a forward is a forward. How do you know Mueller is lazy….have you watched all of his games? You don't seem to know what you are talking about whatsoever….I think maybe you just have a crush on Wojtek…

mrhockeyluke

If the team is such garbage why do you waste your time to even read the articles and comment? I'm glad you know what Stan Kroenke is thinking….are you a friend of his?

Amy

Just because a player CAN play all 3 positions, does not mean that they play all 3 with equal effectiveness or skill. If this team is going to make a serious run at the playoffs this year, and down the road, they need at least one good top line left winger – especially since most of our up and comers: Jones, Yip, Stewart – play better on right wing than they do on left.I am basing Mueller's laziness on his stats – if he is as skilled as people say, and as his draft position and rookie year stats would lead one to believe, then his stats since then can only be that low because he isn't playing all out – for whatever reason.And lastly, not all female hockey fans have crushes on the players – some of us just know what we are talking about and it doesn't bolster your arguments one iota to use the idea of a “crush” to just completely write off my opinions. And by the way, it's Galiardi . . . there isn't a silent “a” at the end.

Bob W

One man's garbage is another mans's treasure. I seriously doubt the object of this particular trade was to boost attendance. At least directly. If it works out and the team wins more games then it might indirectly lead to more fans coming to games down the road.

jkaus

This is a great day…I've longed for this guy to be traded. As a matter of fact I think the Avs shouldn't have waited so long. Watching TSN's deadline coverage they all seem puzzled as to why the Avs made this trade..obviously they don't watch this team much. You can't build a core around a guy like Wolski he's both physically and mentally soft as a hockey player. Sacco realized this and called Wolski out, where as Quennville & Granato just kept toting him out on one of the top two lines, no matter how putrid his effort.Sacco is the first coach the Avs have had since moving to denver who seems to have a philosophy or plan in mind. Harley and Crawford were happy to ride the Forsberg/Sakic/Roy meal ticket train (and righfully so). Wheras Granato just seemed lost during both stints. Sacco wants to cultivate a culture of hard working selfless players. Wolski wasn't the former and probably not the latter either. Build around Duchene, O'Reilly, Stewart, & Stastny. Good riddance Wolski!

whiteice

I have a question for Dater and all the people ripping on the Avs management for what they got in the trade.What makes you think they could have gotten more? Wolski's reputation is known around the league. There are multiple former Avalanche coaches and front office staff floating around the league, including two former head coaches. I could be wrong, but I don't think any of them are in Phoenix. For what the Avs did get, I think we can assume no teams were offering even a third round pick, certainly not a 2nd. So, why didn't Granato talk the Pens into making the trade, for example? My guess is he didn't want him. And having former coaches not want you, I don't think that looks good on a player. (Even if I really didn't like the coach.)If you don't like that they traded Wolski at all, can't help ya there. But before you start saying we should have gotten so-and-so, what makes you think that player was available to the Avs?Sorry for trying to be sensible.

Mojo

I used to live in Tempe, Mueller sucks. He had a decent rookie season, when he was playing center… are the Avs going to make him a center? Cause otherwise he's a waste of space.

Mojo

Thing is, we didn't have to get rid of Wolski… we traded him for the same guy only Mueller has less talent and even less drive than Wolski. If this was the best we could have got for World Wide Wolski we would have been better off keeping him. Our left wing is empty now, specially with Hejduk injured.

jfmartineau

Lady and gentlement i think you are missing the point of getting Yelle back. In the playoff he can be a spiritual father to our young core.He won 2 stanley cup here in denver,Reliable on defense, good on face off, and he can score clutch goal like the one needed monday night to break the tie.

whiteice

Didn't have to? No, the point is, they WANTED to. And, if they weren't going to resign him in the offseason, why not get something for him. As Dater says above, something happened after Monday's game, so that also probably goes towards trading him. If he's not scoring, and causing headaches for the coaching staff, and they weren't going to resign him . . . it's bye bye Wolski. Oh yeah, not to be rude, but I'm not sure I'm prepared to take your view of Mueller, since you don't even know that Hejduk is a right wing. But, thanks for playing.

mrhockeyluke

I believe Mueller has been playing wing….pretty much any forward can be interchanged between either wing….Hejduk has played L and R wing this year….Galiardi plays all 3 forward positions…Wolski was likely to garner around $4 million a year if he took the Avs to arbitration this off season….that would be too much for his lack of grit and streaky play…Mueller has as much potential as Wolski….except he is younger and cheaper….I believe this is a good trade.

Nick B.

Dater, does this mean the Avs are going to recall Hensick so he and Porter can rekindle all that magic from their Michigan years?

whiteice

I hear ya, JF, but I'm still wondering, where does he play? O'Rielly's been quiet lately, zero points and -3 in the last 5 games, but I'm not sure moving him around is a good idea. Hendricks has done pretty well centering the 4th line, which is usually a physical crash and bang line, so I'm not sure Yelle fits there either. Love the guy, understand what he brings to the table, and I'm hoping he takes Wolski's place with Stastny on the penalty kill, but where does he fit on the four lines?

jimbo

Dater doesn't even MENTION the fact that the Avs got TWO players in this deal, not just one. How can he claim to analyze a trade when he doesn't even look at the whole thing?If this had been Wolski for Mueller straight up, maybe we can just overlook the salary aspects and simply look at each guys' stats and say “it doesn't look so good on paper.” But the Avs got two players in this deal, not one: Porter was no throw-in… he's 23 and is rated as one of the Yotes top-10 prospects. And the two players Colorado gets cost them less than Wolski. It's too bad Dater only tells half the story with his “analysis,” but I've read plenty of better-informed opinions today that say the Avs did just fine with this trade.

Peterman

hmmm, I think the Avs traded him at the right time. He's had almost 5 years to become a true professional and it hasn't happened. After 5 years it isn't going to happen here. And it probably won't in Phoenix either. Wolski just seems to always do just enough. We were right to wait this long, and right to move on now.I love this trade. Not only do we get players to help us now and they do have a level of potential. But… we also get that salary cap flexibility. Phoenix is actually taking a bigger risk. They are responsible for paying $4M+ for the next four years. If they let another team sign him away, all they get is draft picks. Mueller is younger and cheaper. Porter may work out, maybe not. But next year we can focus on retaining and paying the players we WANT, rather than the ones we're stuck with per the CBA.Look at PHX – they were the biggest players this year and they obviously want a playoff run. They are taking risks. We are cleaning house. Good for us.

Ryan

I'm glad Wolski's gone, he was given plenty of chances to improve on his inconsistency, which never happened. Dater keeps touting his numbers, which I agree are definitely noteworthy, but hockey is more than just the numbers. I watched TSN's analysts talk about the trade and the feeling I got was that a number of people didn't do their homework. They talked about Dave Tippett keeping players accountable and apparently none of them have paid much attention to the Avalanche besides their record, because Sacco has been barking up that tree all…year…long. I can't comment on Peter Mueller or Kevin Porter aside from their stats, since I haven't seen them play that much. Hopefully Mueller will do better with Sacco's style, but we'll see soon enough.I like the trade to get Yelle back in Denver, although it was a few years too late. Good on face-off's, strong defensively and great veteran leadership. I like the trade for Yelle better than the trade for Mueller simply because I know what we're getting (obviously!). I'm with-holding judgment on Mueller until I see his play. I'm glad Wolski's gone and we have more cap room to sign our current crop of hungry young players.

Peterman

Good trade. Good for Lacroix, oops, Sherman to move on. If you think about the Yelle acquisition, we're bringing in a guy that will work his butt off and buy into Sacco's style. Wolski was the complete opposite. Yelle will help get our rookies prepared to play every night and into the playoffs.Not only do we gain an extra two forwards, we gain salary cap flexibility, and also improve our locker-room today for the playoff push. Nice job.

Peterman

Well… the more you watch, read, and listen to local media vs national media you learn the national guys just don't know that much. They just repeat what others tell them, or what they have time to know about (which isn't much considering they are supposed to be 'experts' on each team, LOL). Or they remember lessons learned from their playing days and apply them in a generalized way to each team/player.That's why Dater is GOLD! At least for the Avs, we get all the insider info Dreger or Burnside pretend to know. Spector does a decent job, because he basically summarizes each beat writer's stories and blogs. He is a frequents Dater follower.

Amy

I'd rather have Wolski than Svatos . . . how many left wings to we have now? two?I'd rather have Wolski than Mueller . . . how does trading one guy who is sometimes lazy but at least puts up good numbers for a guy who is sometimes lazy and doesn't even have good numbers help us get where we would like to go as a team? Was someone out there REALLY missing Arnason?!?I have the feeling we just traded a good young talent for a guy that may very well end up on our AHL team in another year.Granted, I thought the Leopold for Wilson trade was a little silly at the time, but Wilson has really proved himself . . . I'll give Mueller the benefit of the doubt, and I won't blame him if he's another epic fail . . . I'll blame Sherman – since this whole thing was his brain child in the first place.

Nick

Stan Kroenke pretty much ordered Sherman to get rid of payroll. That's all.Fans weren't showing up at the Can to watch before the trade deadline. What about these trades makes anyone think the crowds will be larger? Who on earth wants to watch this team? It's garbage.

mrhockeyluke

Galiardia can play all 3 forward positions, Hejduk can play LW or RW….don't get so hung up on the whole position thing….a forward is a forward. How do you know Mueller is lazy….have you watched all of his games? You don't seem to know what you are talking about whatsoever….I think maybe you just have a crush on Wojtek…

mrhockeyluke

If the team is such garbage why do you waste your time to even read the articles and comment? I'm glad you know what Stan Kroenke is thinking….are you a friend of his?

Amy

Just because a player CAN play all 3 positions, does not mean that they play all 3 with equal effectiveness or skill. If this team is going to make a serious run at the playoffs this year, and down the road, they need at least one good top line left winger – especially since most of our up and comers: Jones, Yip, Stewart – play better on right wing than they do on left.I am basing Mueller's laziness on his stats – if he is as skilled as people say, and as his draft position and rookie year stats would lead one to believe, then his stats since then can only be that low because he isn't playing all out – for whatever reason.And lastly, not all female hockey fans have crushes on the players – some of us just know what we are talking about and it doesn't bolster your arguments one iota to use the idea of a “crush” to just completely write off my opinions. And by the way, it's Galiardi . . . there isn't a silent “a” at the end.

Bob W

One man's garbage is another mans's treasure. I seriously doubt the object of this particular trade was to boost attendance. At least directly. If it works out and the team wins more games then it might indirectly lead to more fans coming to games down the road.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.